Cattle
The aurochs is domesticated twice, and becomes the most valuable animal in the ancient world.
- When
- Known to
- ± 300 years
- Era
- Neolithic, Holocene
Taurine cattle are domesticated from wild aurochs in the upper Euphrates around 8000 BCE, and zebu independently in South Asia. Genetic work suggests the founding taurine population was remarkably small — perhaps eighty animals. An aurochs stood nearly two metres at the shoulder and was dangerous; the process took generations. Cattle become the basis of wealth, traction, dairying and sacrifice across Eurasia and Africa, and the wild ancestor survives until 1627.